Monsignor Charles A. Kelly, Jr. was born in Richmond, Virginia on July 2, 1942. He was the son of Charles A. Kelly, Sr. and Grace Elizabeth Beckett Kelly.
Msgr. Kelly attended Cathedral Elementary School in Richmond, VA and graduated from Benedictine High School in Richmond in June, 1960. He began his studies for the priesthood at Saint Mary's Seminary in Baltimore. In 1964, he was assigned to the North American College in Rome, Italy to complete his studies. On December 21, 1967, Msgr. Kelly was ordained a priest for the Catholic Diocese of Richmond at Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome. He received a Licentiate Degree in Sacred Theology from the North American College in June, 1968.
Msgr. Kelly began his ministry serving as Secretary to the Bishop and in the Diocesan Marriage Tribunal in July, 1968. He was appointed to serve as Vice-Chancellor for the diocese in June, 1969 and also served as an associate pastor at Sacred Heart parish from June, 1970 to July, 1971.
In July, 1971, Msgr. Kelly returned to the North American College for graduate studies. He joined the faculty of the North American College in September, 1972 and became its Vice-Rector in December, 1974.
In August, 1979, Msgr. Kelly returned to the United States and became the Pastor of Saint Mary's Parish in Richmond.
Msgr. Kelly's first homily to Saint Mary's is a reflection of his vision and his desire to work for the Lord. He stated that he was sent to Saint Mary's by the Lord and the Church to live, to work, to pray, and give thanks with the parish as its Pastor.
He reflected on the core of Saint Mary's parish identity as:
- Freedom to believe in a God who cares, forgives and unites
- Freedom to trust in and share the gifts of mind and heart in all and each other
- Freedom to grow in a communion o of life and love with God and one another
He pledged to the parish to do his best to:
- Call us to prayer - personal and shared prayer at liturgy - deepening our relationship with the Lord
- To make Saint Mary's always hospitable to the Word and Spirit of God
- To proclaim God's word clearly and meaningfully. He stated that he would put forth his best effort to share parishioners' lives, to be accessible, and to be open to the parishioners' experience of life.
He encouraged the parishioners to share their gifts for the service to all, that together, we may be something beautiful for God and share his glory through service to the Church and to the world. He asked the parishioners to ground their lives, their insights, and their decisions in prayer.
